Friday, June 27, 2008

JULIANA HATFIELD "GROWS UP" IN NEW BOOK

ACCLAIMED SINGER/SONGWRITER'S PROVOCATIVE MEMOIR

TO BE PRECEDED BY FIRST NEW MUSIC IN OVER TWO YEARS;

WHEN I GROW UP PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 29TH Juliana Hatfield has unveiled details of her upcoming memoir, entitled When I Grow Up, slated to be published by John Wiley & Sons on September 29th. The book follows the renowned singer/songwriter's much-anticipated new album, How To Walk Away, due from Hatfield's own Ye Olde Records on August 19th.

At turns wryly funny and heartbreakingly sincere, When I Grow Up offers Hatfield's inimitable perspective on her remarkable 20-year career. Penned during her recent year-long sabbatical from music, the book chronicles her extraordinary journey, from her teenage beginnings in the pioneering indie-rock combo, Blake Babies, and iconic rise to alternative solo stardom, to the past decade's stunning streak of increasingly mature, critically acclaimed albums.

When I Grow Up takes readers backstage and behind the scenes of a life lived in rock 'n' roll, detailing the origin of her songs, her battles with clinical depression, and her quest to find purpose after all of her dreams had seemingly come true. Throughout the book, Hatfield recounts her skyscraping highs and deep, dark lows in the same engaging voice her fans have loved for years - spirited, witty, and always candid.

Penning When I Grow Up led to a burst of creative energy that also spawned Hatfield's 10th solo album, How To Walk Away. Produced by Andy Chase (of revered alt-rock/pop band Ivy), the album is among her best to date, featuring songs that are both layered and unhurried, bittersweet yet life-affirming. Hatfield is joined on the album by a number of friends made along the way, including Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne), and Tracy Bonham.

"Shining On," a key track on How To Walk Away, is currently streaming at Hatfield's MySpace page, located at www.myspace.com/julianahatfield. ; In addition, her blog sees her writing about songs selected by fans from her sizable repertoire. "Read it at your own risk," Hatfield warns. "Illusions may be shattered."

Juliana Hatfield first came to prominence in her teens as a founding member of the legendary Boston indie-rock band, Blake Babies. After four independent albums with the group, Hatfield signed to Atlantic Records as a solo artist and had a slew of modern-rock hits (including "My Sister," "Spin The Bottle" and "Universal Heartbeat"). She left the label in 1998, signing to Zoe Records (a Rounder Records imprint) and releasing four well-regarded albums, including 2004's In Exile Deo, named as one of that year's 10 best albums by The New York Times' Jon Pareles.

In 2005 Hatfield came full circle, back to full DIY independence, releasing Made In China (hailed as "her most urgent, refreshingly unpolished output in years" by Time Out New York) on Ye Olde Records, her own label. Ye Olde Records released Frank Smith's Heavy Handed Peace and Love in 2007 as well as her collaboration with the band, Sittin' in a Tree, a six-song EP.

Hatfield recently contributed "Back To Freedom," an exclusive track recorded during the How To Walk Away sessions, to the Green Owl Compilation: A Benefit For the Energy Action Coalition.